MP man walks away from Rs 26 LPA job on first day to pursue freelancing: 'I didn’t want to get trapped'

Man turns down Rs 26 LPA for freelancing. (AI-generated representative image)

Deciding between a well-paying job and the freedom to work on your own is not easy. Some people prefer the security of a steady salary and benefits, while others value having control over their time, projects, and career choices.

Recently, one man made a choice that caught public attention. Website designer Pushkar Tiwari walked away from a Rs 26 LPA job on his very first day, turning down the guaranteed salary to continue working as a freelancer, a move that has sparked debate on X.

Tiwari shared his experience on X, explaining how the decision has been weighing on him. He wrote about the moment he made the choice, “A few days ago, I walked away from a Rs 26 LPA job right at the time of onboarding,” adding that he has been thinking a lot about the choice since then.

He spoke about the struggle he felt, torn between the safety of a regular job and the freedom of freelancing. Part of him was sure he had made the right decision, not wanting to feel trapped in a conventional role. But another part worried that turning down such a high salary might be a mistake.

Tiwari also reflected on how the financial offer compared with his background, underlining why the decision was so daunting. He explained that, for someone from a small village, the figure carried a lot of weight. “Rs 2.1L/month might not sound life-changing in big cities. But I come from a small village in Madhya Pradesh where Rs 20–30k is considered a good salary. So yes, it makes the decision feel scary,” he said.

Despite the risks, Tiwari emphasised why he chose freelancing over a secure salary, sharing his perspective on what would have happened had he joined the company, “Freelancing isn’t stable either. It has a lot of ups and downs. But one thing I know for sure, If I had joined that job, I would have regretted it every single day. So I trusted my gut and walked away. Let’s hope this becomes a good decision… not a regret.”

The post drew a range of responses from social media users. Many agreed with his reasoning, praising the courage it took to follow his own path. One user highlighted the importance of taking risks for long-term rewards, “I think you took the right decision. Risk taking is at the core of empire building!”

Others noted the tension between stability and freedom, agreeing that a high salary can sometimes feel like a trap. One commenter said, “That was great opportunity bro! But yeah that’s so true you got trapped in job. Job has stable income but not freedom of freelancing.”

A few days ago, I walked away from a ₹26 LPA job right at the time of onboarding.

Since then I’ve had very mixed feelings. One side of me says I made the right decision. I didn’t want to get trapped in a job. The other side keeps asking… what if this was a huge mistake?… — Pushkar @ Website Designer (@in_pushkar) March 5, 2026

One person reflected on how freedom can sometimes matter more than money, “It would be even better if that was a remote job. But freedom and little space to breathe is all everyone needs.” Tiwari clarified in response, “It was a remote job.”

Several users also discussed the broader implications of his decision, pointing out how choosing freedom over comfort can influence personal growth, “Real growth often comes from choosing freedom over comfort. A stable job gives security, but risk and independence can change destiny. Bold decision.”

Others underlined the importance of personal priorities in career decisions, noting that there is no one right choice. “It all comes down to priorities. Some folks go for stability, while others prefer freedom and control. Neither one's wrong it's just about what you value,” a user wrote.